DA: Husband and wife killed in apparent murder-suicide in Weymouth

Donald P. Coyne, 83, and Elizabeth A. Coyne, 81, were pronounced dead in the kitchen of their 15 Dunbar Road home Tuesday morning. A .25-caliber pistol that investigators believe belonged to the husband was found at his side, David Traub, a spokesman for the Norfolk County district attorney's office said.

WEYMOUTH – An elderly couple were found dead in their home Tuesday with a pistol lying at the husband’s side in what investigators are calling an apparent murder-suicide.

Donald P. Coyne, 83, and Elizabeth A. Coyne, 81, were pronounced dead in the kitchen of their 15 Dunbar Road home Tuesday morning. A .25-caliber pistol that investigators believe belonged to the husband was found at his side, David Traub, a spokesman for the Norfolk County district attorney’s office said.

Both had injuries consistent with gunshot wounds, but investigators are awaiting autopsy results to officially determine the cause of death, Traub said.

The Coynes were long-time residents of the yellow Cape-style home with red shutters on the small dead-end street off Route 18 just south of the intersection with Front Street. There was no known history of domestic violence at the home, Traub said.

Investigators have not found any evidence that either of the Coynes were facing any major health issues or that they were under any recent financial strain, and investigators have not yet figured out what caused the incident, Traub said.

“The matter is still under investigation, but there is not an answer to that question at this time,” Traub said.

Donald Coyne had had a license to own the pistol, but it had expired, Traub said.

The couple’s son called police at 7:12 a.m. after arriving for his regular morning visit to their home. The couple had already been dead for at least several hours, Traub said.

Daria Kotoski, a neighbor, said she thought it was strange when she noticed on Tuesday morning that Elizabeth Coyne had left laundry hanging on the clothesline in the couple’s back yard overnight, something she never did normally.

“She was very meticulous about her laundry,” said Kotoski, who would wave hello to the Coynes but didn’t know them well. “It’s nerve-wracking. They were very quiet. A nice old couple.”

Kotoski said the couple had recently completed some work on their house and had put up a new fence.

A group of visibly upset neighbors who gathered on a porch near the Coynes’ home declined to comment.